Combined multilight incandescent lamp and switch



April 1940- A. F. BAHLKE 2,197,331

COMBINED MULTILIGHT INCANDESCENT LAMP AND SWITCH Fi led Sept. 26. 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INV NTOR Apr-i116, 1940. A. F. BAHLKE 2 l97,33l

COMBINED MULTILIGHT INCANDESCENT LAMP AND SWITCH Filed Sept. 26, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV NTOR 5. BY W W I A QRNEY Patented Apr. 16, 1940 UNlTED STATES COMBINED MULTIIJGH'I INGANDESCENT IAMIP AND SWITCH Alfred F. Bahlke, Scotch Plains, N. 1., assignor to Utility Electric Corp Newark, N. 1., a corporation of New Jersey Application September 26, 1939, Serial No. 298,531 r, 11 m. (01. 176-27) Many incandescent electric lamps today are manufactured with-a plurality of filaments of diflerent wattages related and combined with each other so that they may be placed in the electric circuit either separately or all together so as to secure at will illumination of varying degrees of intensity. The invention relates particularly to multiligh "lamps wherein each filament has the same characteristics as that of an ordinary one filament lamp of the same wattage,

as distinguished from the old so-called turndown lamps having two filaments so related that when they are connected in series one will glow while when one is short-circuited the other II will glow.

, My invention contemplates particularly a multilight lamp wherein the filaments can be energized in succession individually and together by rotation continuously in one directionot a switch operating element that constitutes a part or the lamp.

One object of my invention is to provide a bination of one or more contact members mounted on said base, at least one of which is connected to one terminal of a filament, and a switch operating ring rotatably mounted on the a. base coaxially therewith and -carrying a contact element to cooperate with said contact members to selectively connect and disconnect said filament in and from .an electric circuit, respectively. Another object is to provide a combination a electric lamp and switch'oi this character which shall include a plurality of filaments, andwherein contact members on the lamp base cooperate with a contact element on said switch operating ring to cause selectively energization of said fila- 0 ments individually or one at a time, and all at one time, and deeneraization of all oi. the filaments. A further object is to provide a switch operating ring which shall embody novel and improved features of construction whereby it can be easily and quickly applied toa lamp base in overlying relation to said contact members.

Another object is to provide a combination o of contact members and a switch operating ring as described, which shall be constructed and combined in a novel and improved manner, whereby they shall cooperate to permit rotation of said operating ring'in only one direction and thereby ensure energizationand deenergization of the base of the lamp with the switch operattrolling the circuits through the filaments of the of the plurality oi filaments in predetermined I succession.

Other objects are to provide'a switch operating ring which shall include a plurality of complemental sector-shaped sections applicable to a the lamp base in a plane normal to the axis of the base, and novel and improved means for connecting said sections together in surrounding relation to said lamp base; and to obtain otheradvantages and results as will be brought out by 10 the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a combination multi-filament incandescent lamp and switch embodying my invention. Figure 2 is a bottom plan view. Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3-4 of Figure 1, drawn on an enlarged scale.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view ing ring removed.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the manner of assembling the sections of the switch operating ring on the lamp base.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the switch operating ring detached from the lamp base, and illustrating the manner of connecting the two sections of the ring together.

Figure 7 is a .view similar to Figure 2 with portions broken away and shown in section, illustrating a modification of the invention.

Figure .8 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the manner, of assembling the sections of the switch operating ring shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view on the line 89 of Figure '7, and

Figures 10 to 14 inclusive are schematic views showing the operations of the switch for conlamp.

Specifically describing the invention, the reference character A designates the usual glass bulb or envelope of an incandescent lamp within which is mounted a plurality of filaments B and C which have a common terminal D and individual terminals E and F respectively. Generally, the two filaments Band C are of difierent wattage, and in accordance with the invention are energized either individually or together as may be desired. I 1

The lamp also includes a base G which is 01' generally known standard construction including an outer screw threaded conducting shell termig I C is mounted on the base G, preferably-exteriorly,

thereof.

As shown, a band 3 of insulating material is secured exteriorly of the shell I adjacent the bulb A. A pair of contact members 4 andi 5 for, the respective terminals E and F of the filaments- B and C, are secured in this insulating band and project from the circumference thereof- .Each

contact member is in the form of a spring strip secured at one end to the band 3 by a rivet 6, the

contact members being insulated from the shell -by the band, and by openings I in the shell which provide a clearance between the shell and the rivets. Preferably the filament B is a 20 watt filament, while the filament C is a 40 watt filament, and the contact member 4 is connected to the terminal E of the 20 watt filament, while the other contact member 5 is connected to the terminal F of the 40 watt filament.

Another contact member 8, similar to the contact members 4 and 5, is electrically connected to the shell I by a rivet 9.

The contacts 4, 5 and 8 are spaced circumferentially of the insulating band 3 in approximately a common plane that is normal to the axis of the shell terminal or lamp base, the free ends of the spring strips of the contact members projecting in the same direction circumferentially of the insulating band.

The various contact members cooperate with a switch operating member that is in the form of a sectional ring H of insulating material and is 'rotatably mounted on the base G coaxially therewith and in overlying relation to the contact members. Preferably the ring is formed of a plurality of approximately sector-shaped complemental sections I07 that are applied to the base exteriorly thereof in the general plane normal to the axis of the base. 'As shownin Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, there are two approximately semi-circular sections that are identical in con-. struction.

In accordance with the invention, the sections are so constructed that they may be easily and quickly and permanently applied to the lamp base without the use of fastener elements such as rivets or screws. As shown, each sectionhas an arm II projecting from one end thereof and a groove I2 at'the other end to receive the arm II of the other section. The arms and slots are disposed approximately chordally. to the exterior perimeter and tangentially to the interior perimeter, and each armihas a lug with a shoulder I3 to engage a correspondingly shaped shoulder I4 in the groove of the other section; The arms II are preferably formed of somewhat resilient material, and in assembling the two sections, the arm of eachsection is slid longitudinally into the slot of the other section, either longitudinally of the arms or laterally thereof, until the shoulder I3 of one section abuts the shoulder I4 of the other section, as shown in Figure 3. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the connection of the sections by sliding of the'arms longitudinally, Figure 6 showing the relation of the parts just prior to the engagement of the shouders I3 and I4. To prevent relative movement of the two sections laterally of the arms or along the axial plane in which the abutting ends of the sections lie, the end of one section may have a protuberance I8 to snap into a recess II in the juxtaposed end of the other section approximately simultaneously with the engagement of the shoulders I3 and I4, as shown in Figures 6 and 2.

'I he interior surface of the ring H has a circumferential groove l8 which is of a width and depth-to freelyreceive the'insulating band 3 as shown in Figures 3 and 9 so that said band serves as a guide for rotation of the ring H and holds the: latter against axial movement longitudinally of the base.

At the. base of the groove I8 is a narrower "groove. I9 in which is seated a segmental conductoror contact element 20 that is preferably in the form of a round wire. For securing this conductOrin'position to rotate with the ring H, one end of the conductor wire may be bent outwardly as at 2| and seated in a socket 22 in one of the sections I II of the ring H. The length of the conductor '20 is such that it may electrically connect all of the contacts 4, 5 and 8 in one position or electrically connect only two of the contact members in other positions; The contact strips are of resilient nature so as to constantly maintain spring frictional contact with the base of the groove I8 or theconductor 20. Also, the

contact members are preferably of a width to ure 12 shows the conductor 20 engaging all three contacts 4, 5 and 8 so as to energize both of the filaments. Figure 14 shows the conductor 20 engaging only the contacts 4, 5 so that the circuit is completely broken and both filaments are deenergized.

In order to permit the switch operating ring H to rotate in only one direction and thus insure energization and deenergization of the filaments in the desired. succession, the sections I 0 of the ring H may have teeth or lugs 23 formed integrally therewith projecting upwardly from the bottom of the grooves I8, and provided with radial faces or shoulders 24 to abut the ends of the contact members 4, 5 and 8, and inclined top surfaces 25 to permit the lugs or teeth toslide freely over the contact members upon rotation of the ring H in one direction, as shown by the arrows in the various figures. The lugs or teeth 23 are so circumferentially spaced that at least one thereof will engage one of the contact mem-' bers 4, 5 or 8 in each of the circuit controlling positions of the ring H above described and as particularly shown, in Figures 3 and, 10 to 14 in- A modification of the switch operating ring is,

shown in Figures '1 and a where the m 1 comprises two approximately semi-circular sections 26 and 21 one of which has a spring arm 28 at one end 'and another spring arm 20 at the other 5 end. Eacharmhasalugll tocooperatewith a shoulder ii in a groove 32 in the outer-surf of one end of the other section.

In connecting the two sections, the lug ll of the arm 29 is first engaged with one of-the shoul 1o. ders 3| of the other section, after-which the first mentioned section is moved'with a; hinged action to cause the arm 2! and its lug. It to'snap over the shoulder 3! at the other end ofthe second mentioned section, as shown in Figure 8.-

With this construction, the two arms}. and Z! hold the sections against lateral movementin all directions because the armsof one lsection embrace the corresponding ends of the other section, and thereby avoid thenecessity for means such as the lugs 16 and recesses ll of the struc-;

ture shown in 'Figures'l to 6 inclusive. I The structure of the switch operating ring I shown in Figures 7 and 8 may otherwise be iden-. tical with that of the ring H shown as 26 1 to 6 inclusive.

In this connection, it should be "understood that if the sections Ill of the operating ring H are made so as to provide a clearancebetween ()the inner periphery of the ring and the lamp 3 base less than the depth of the shoulders i3 and M, the lamp base would prevent such relative lateral movement of the sections'asimight disengage theshoulders l3 and ll," and thereby the necessity for the lugs l6 and recesses 11- could be avoided. Practically, however, it is. de-

sirable to have the shoulders 13 and I4 as--shal-, low as possible and also provide substantial clearance between the operating ring H and the lamp equivalents are preferred.

In addition to the advantages incident to the my combined lamp and switch can be used in an electric socket that does not have a switch, the switch of my structure being capable of performing the functions of the usual socket switch.

Obviously the details of structure of the lamp and switch, the number of filaments, the numher and arrangement of the switch contact membeta, the length of the conductor element, the number of sections of the switch operatingrings, and the manner of connecting said sections, may be widely modified and changed by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A combined electric incandescent lamp and switch, comprising a base having a shell terminal and a central terminal, a bulb, a filament in said bulb, means for energizing said filament including a direct electrical connection between one terminal of said filament and said central terminal of the base, a plurality of contact members mounted exteriorly on said shell terminal in spaced relation circumferentially thereof, one of which is electrically insulated from said shell terminal and electrically connected to theother terminal of said filament while another contact member is electrically connected to said shell terminal, and a switch operating ring rotatable coaxially on said base exteriorly thereof and'havinga segmental conductor extending circumferentially of said ring to electrically connect and disconnect selectively the first-mentioned contact ic-gm inclined top members.

base so that the lugs i6 and recesses II or their a v whereby vsaid band serves as a guide for said a switch operating ring.

plurality of filaments, it will be understood that with said operating ring and project outwardly members. a

member with from the second mentioned contact member upon rotation of said switch operating ring in one direction, said switch operating ring also having ratchet-teeth to directly engage said contact member'sland prevent rotation of s said ring in the other direction.

a 2. The combined electric incandescent lamp and switch set forth claim 1 wherein said contact members comprisespring strips'secured at one end to said shell terminal and with their other; ends extending in the direction of rotation of said switch operating ring, and "said ratchet teeth have radial faces toengage the 8B'00l1dmentioned ends of said contact members and surfaces to ride-over said contact-v I 3." 1he combined electric incandescent lamp and switchfset forth ;'in claim 1 wherein said contact'members comprise spring strips secured at one to said shellterminal and with their 2 other ends extending in the direction of rotation of said switch operating ring, said switch operating ring has an interior circumferential groove within which said contact members are located. said conductor is seated in the base of said groove,

7 and said ratchet teeth are integral with said operating ring and project outwardly from the base of said groove beyond said conductor and .have radial faces to engage the second-mentioned ends of said contact members andfinclined top surfaces to ride over said contactmembers.

wherein said contact members, a're'mounted on said band and saidswitch operating ring has an interior circumferential groove loosely slidably receiving said band and said contact members. 0

5. The combined electric incandescent lamp and switch set forth in claim 1 with the addition of a band of insulating material secured exteriorly andcoaxially on said shell terminal, and wherein said contact members comprise strips of spring material secured at one endto said band and with their other ends extending in the direction of rotation of .said switch operating ring, said operating ring has an interior circumferential groove loosely slidably receiving said band of insulating material and said contact members, said conductor is mounted in the.base of said groove, and said ratchet teeth are integral 65 from the base of said groove beyond said conductor and have radial faces to engage the second-mentioned ends of said contact members and inclined top surfaces to rise over said contact 6. A combined electric incandescent lamp and switch which has a switch and an operating ring therefor rotatable exteriorly and coaxlally on the base of the lamp, wherein. said switch operating ring comprises a plurality of complemental sector-shaped sections applied to said base in a plane normal to the axis of the bas'eTsaid-sections having cooperating interlocking elements at their ends securing said sections together. v

' 7. A combined'electric incandescent lamp and switchwhich has a switch and an operating ring therefor rotatable exteriorly and coaxially on the of. the lamp, wherein said switch operating ring comprises .a plurality or complemental sector-shaped sections applied to said base in a 15 plane normal to the axis of the base, said sections having cooperating spring catch arms "and shoulders at their ends for connecting said sec-1 tions together. V

8'. A combined electric incandescent lamp and switch which has a switch and an operating ring therefor rotatable exteriorly and coaxially on the base of the lamp, 'wherein said switch operating'ring comprises a plurality'oi complemental sector-shaped sections appliedto said base in a plane normal to the axisof the base, one end of each section having a spring arm with 'a' lug thereon and the other end having a groove with.

a shoulder therein, said arm of each section being fitted in said groove of the juxtaposed section with said lugs engaging said shoulders, for con-' necting' said sections together.

9. A combined electric incandescent lamp and switch which has a switch and an operating ring therefor rotatable exteriorly and coaxially on the base of the lamp, wherein said switch operating ring comprises a plurality of complemental sector-shaped sections applied to said base in a plane normal to the axis of the base, one section having a spring arm at each end thereof formed with a lug, and the other section having a groove in each end formed with a shoulder, said arms of one section being fitted in the respective grooves of the other secton' with said lugs engaging said shoulders, for connecting said sections together. 7

10. In combination with a base of an electric incandescent lamp having a shell terminal and a central terminal, a plurality of contact members mounted exteriorly on said shell terminal in spaced relation circumierentlally thereof, at least one of which is electrically insulated from said terminal-,and a switch operating ring rotatable coaxially on saidbase exteriorly thereof and having a segmental conductor extending circum- Ierentlally of said ring to electrically connect and disconnect selectively the first-mentioned contact member with and from the second-mentioned contact member upon rotation of said switch operating ring ingone direction, said switch operating ring also having ratchet teeth to directly engage said contact members and prevent. rotation'oi said ringin the other direction.

J11. In the combination set forth in claim 10, the addition of a band oi insulating material secured exteriorly and coaxially on said shell terminal, and wherein said contact members comprise strips of spring material secured at one end to said band and with their other ends extending in the direction of rotation of. said switch operating ring, said operating ring has an interior circumferential groove loosely slidably receiving said band of. insulating material and said contact members, said conductor is mounted in 

